Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning launched its 47th season in January with its hard-hitting Global Issues series in Sarasota, Venice and Lakewood Ranch. Internationally acclaimed experts explore the challenges and dilemmas we face at home and around the world in this engaging series of lectures and lively conversations.

(Sarasota, Florida) Internationally renowned experts discuss a vast range of domestic and global issues as part of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s (SILL) 2018 “Global Issues” series. The new season features 72 programs in Sarasota, Venice and Lakewood Ranch, and runs from January through March. Speakers will explore dozens of topics, including the opioid crisis, artificial intelligence, America’s volatile politics, and topical issues in China, Korea, Russia and the Middle East.

Upcoming lectures include:

Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch.

Tuesday, February 13: “Understanding Iran’s Foreign Policy” with Mohsen Milani. Dr. Mohsen Milani will explain how the Islamic Republic defines and defends its national interests. He will discuss tensions between Islamic revolutionary idealism and traditional Iranian state interests. Iran seeks improving relations with U.S. allies, but Iranian revolutionary rallies still chant the slogans of 1979 against Zionism and American “imperialism.” 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota; and 2:30 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice.

Wednesday, February 14: “Iran’s Political and Social Evolution” with Mohsen Milani. Dr. Mohsen Milani has been a keen observer of Iran for decades. He will discuss how Iranian realities differ from the radical images of 1979. He will compare Iranian social and political realities with those of others such as Saudi Arabia and ISIS. He will explain the rivalry between Iranian and Saudi models. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

Thursday, February 15: “How Has President Trump Delivered for His Constituents?” with Hedrick Smith. Responses to tough challenges were promised by candidate Trump: Bring back domestic coal jobs and manufacturing jobs from overseas; keep American jobs in the USA; achieve 4-5% annual economic growth; and withdraw from or rewrite various trade agreements putting “America First.” After one year, Hedrick Smith will suggest how he has done. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota, and 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch.

Friday, February 16: “How Has President Trump Delivered for His Constituents?” with Hedrick Smith. Responses to tough challenges were promised by candidate Trump: Bring back domestic coal jobs and manufacturing jobs from overseas; keep American jobs in the USA; achieve 4-5% annual economic growth; and withdraw from or rewrite various trade agreements putting “America First.” After one year, Hedrick Smith will suggest how he has done. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice.

Tuesday, February 20: “America’s Collapsing Democracy” with Mickey Edwards. American democracy rests on supportive institutions – governing, elections, justice, economic and education systems, and competent news media. Each has failed to support our democracy. Trust in democracy is falling and for millions of Americans in 2016, voting was a protest. Mickey Edwards will address what will happen if we do not repair those systems. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota; and 2:30 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice.

Wednesday, February 21: “Does the Constitution Still Matter to Us?” with Mickey Edwards. Increasingly, Americans are finding the Constitution and its governance model inconvenient and dispensable. Voters want outcomes they prefer and are willing to dispense with the democratic process. Members of Congress abandon their constitutional obligations in deference to partisan loyalties. Mickey Edwards will argue that if America is exceptional it is because of its constitutional structure. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

Thursday, February 22: “The Character of Chinese Power and What It Means for America” with David Lampton. China’s share of global output has risen dramatically. China is now the world’s largest economy in terms of contribution to global growth. Beijing is building infrastructure both domestically and globally. Traditional U.S. allies must adapt to new realities. Dr. David Lampton will explore what this means for America and what can be done. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota, and 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch.

Friday, February 23: “The Character of Chinese Power and What It Means for America” with David Lampton. China’s share of global output has risen dramatically. China is now the world’s largest economy in terms of contribution to global growth. Beijing is building infrastructure both domestically and globally. Traditional U.S. allies must adapt to new realities. Dr. David Lampton will explore what this means for America and what can be done. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice.

Tuesday, February 27: “Governing a Prosperous North America: Canada, Mexico, and the United States” with Jorge Dominguez. Dr. Jorge Dominguez will examine issues affecting all of North America. These include trade, migration, drug trafficking, terrorism, tourism and border waters. How should Canada, Mexico, and the United States deal with these issues? 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota; and 2:30 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice.

Wednesday, February 28: “Mexico Chooses a New President” with Jorge Dominguez. Every six years, reports Dr. Jorge Dominguez, Mexicans elect their President and Senate for six-year terms and the Federal Chamber of Deputies for three-year terms. The leading candidate claims NAFTA was badly negotiated. Election fraud mars residential elections. He boasts that his rallies are the biggest. Are Mexican and U.S. elections alike? 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

SILL’s Global Issues lectures are 40 to 50 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of audience questions. The lectures are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota; Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m., at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., in Venice; and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way in Lakewood Ranch. Doors open 40 minutes prior to the start of the lecture. Season subscriptions are $85 for a 12-lecture series. If seating is available, single lecture tickets are $10. To purchase subscriptions, or learn about the program in more detail visit www.sillsarasota.org. For more information, call 941-365-6404.

About the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning

The Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) is a non-profit organization that offers an expert lecture series to provide information on and discussion of the arts and contemporary global issues. SILL is guided by an all-volunteer board committed to modest pricing and enhanced outreach. Visit www.sillsarasota.org.